Letters

This is in response to the Feb. 2 editorial "Why unions are in decline."

I am the business manager of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 420, proudly representing Connecticut Light and Power, Yankee Gas and power station workers. Our local was established in 1937 in Waterbury.

" The facts run contrary to that stated above. Yes, there was a time when unions made a big difference in the workplace as this author noted - today, however, we have OSHA, NIOSH and other state/federal agencies to protect the workers. But since their earlier days, unions have closed more businesses by their excessive demands then you can imagine. The fault of management (as in the auto industry) was that they agreed to these exorbitant demands in good times. But when bad times befell an industry, the unions refused to give an inch causing the companies to go bankrupt and close.

And as far as being one big brotherhood for the benefit of all union members, more then once has a single union thrown their "brothers" under the bus for their own selfish ends (as in the Wonder Bread/Hostess closing). And when it comes to protecting their "brothers" from layoffs by taking lesser pay or benefits so their "brothers" could stay on the job in lean times, they all kick those who would loose their jobs to the curb so the still employed can keep their pay at a high level.

Unions had their day and are no longer needed as is demonstrated in states which have passed "right-to-work" laws, after which vast numbers of workers abandon their unions, because they are no longer forced to be a member. "

" I am a union member. By choice? No. I remember asking when I got hired, what are the benefits of being in the union? I was told, "You don't have a choice."

What has my union done for me? A lot of little freebies like gift cards and gas cards, free food for the department on certain days of the year, etc. They say they ensure job security and fair pay. Perhaps this is the case, but is it worth keeping the no-good useless employees on the rolls who are supposedly union 'brothers'.

I am not convinced this all balances out. Would I have gone the non-union route if given the choice? Probably. Even in the smallest unions, the thuggery and arm-twisting is of the highest order. "

" The decline of the Unions is to the detriment of the people against big corporations that are being deregulated so they can not only poison us by land water and food (where are these great federal agencies that are suppose to protect us), but will bully and pay people pitiful wages with no benefits, while taking over the legislation of our laws with the help of ALEC, WalMart for example. The people who said "more power to the corporations" are ignorant and deserve what they get. Don't try to blame it on anyone else but yourself. "

" WE Will!!!! See what happens to the entitlements union workers worked for all their lives vaporise like our 401k's with not enough workers in the private sector to fund them. You Get What YOU Voted For!!! Can't happen, WAIT!! "

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